How It's Made — Season 24

Selected wood is milled, joined and fitted with benches, heaters and controls to create home saunas. Steel platforms, drive mechanisms and safety systems are assembled into wheelchair lifts, while miniature structures, figures and carefully modelled landscapes are combined to produce detailed dioramas.

Metal or glass reservoirs are fitted with wicks, burners and protective chimneys to create oil lamps. Mint-flavoured centres are formed and coated with chocolate; heating cables or tubing are arranged beneath flooring to provide radiant heat; and fabric covers are sewn, filled and finished as pillows.

Wooden cases, soundboards, strings, keys and intricate action mechanisms are assembled and regulated to create upright pianos. Fabric is printed or sewn into flags; motors, filters and collection tanks are combined in wet/dry vacuums; and forged steel axe heads are hardened, sharpened and mounted on wooden handles.

Moulds taken from anatomical models are used to cast individual bones, which are finished and articulated into skeletal replicas. Metal vessels are shaped and insulated to make ice buckets and serving pieces; wooden components are cut, joined and upholstered as dining chairs; and excavated sites receive structural shells, plumbing and finishing materials for in-ground pools.

Glass door panels are mounted on powered tracks and connected to sensors and safety controls to create automatic entrances. Neutral spirits are redistilled with juniper and other botanicals to produce gin, while historic firearms are dismantled, cleaned and repaired before their metal and wooden surfaces are carefully restored.

Powerful lamps and batteries are sealed inside pressure-resistant housings to create lights for underwater use. Replaceable uppers are fitted to reusable sandal soles; controls, displays and motion systems are assembled into realistic race-car simulators; and reinforced fibreglass skins are moulded around insulating cores to produce durable doors.

Seasoned wood is cut and joined into window frames before receiving glazing, seals and operating hardware. Fine cashmere fibres are spun and woven into fabric; shredders, separators and processing equipment are assembled into plastic-recycling machines; and large glass panels are cut, treated and finished for architectural use.

Metal fireboxes are fitted with burners, valves, cooking grates and ignition systems to create gas barbecues. Layers of padding and fabric are quilted and edged into mattress pads, while moulds and colour-matched silicone are used to produce lifelike prosthetic ears for individual patients.

Reclaimed material is processed, shaped and finished into new skateboard decks. Strips of filled dough are interwoven and baked into braided pastries; steel chassis receive insulated walls, utilities and fitted interiors to become construction trailers; and cast-metal bodies are machined and assembled with sliding jaws and screw mechanisms to make vises.

Discarded glass is melted and reshaped into colourful decorative gems. Paper, polymers and other lightweight materials are processed into convincing artificial snow for film and television, while an ageing piano is dismantled so its case, soundboard, strings, keys and mechanical action can be repaired and restored.

Three-wheeled bicycle frames are equipped with electric motors, rechargeable batteries and control systems. Oils, water and active ingredients are emulsified into skin cream; burners and reflectors are assembled into outdoor patio heaters; and shaped wooden hubs, spokes and rim sections are joined into traditional wheels.

Thick leather is cut, moulded, stitched and decorated to produce holsters patterned after those of the Old West. Camera enclosures are machined, sealed and pressure-tested for underwater filming; soaked soybeans are ground, cooked and filtered into beverages; and sharpened steel blades are assembled into pet nail trimmers.

Wooden sections are cut, joined and finished before being fitted with hinges, tracks and lifting hardware to create garage doors. Hoppers, augers and rotating mechanisms are mounted on vehicle frames to distribute sand and salt, while sculpted skins are installed over articulated mechanical frameworks to produce moving animatronic dinosaurs.